Morningstar Golf Club hosts the B.C. Amateur Golf Championship from Tuesday, July 11 through Friday, July 14. (Morningstar Golf Club)

By Ian Holmes

tee off

B.C. Amateur Golf Championship tees off at Parksville’s Morningstar Golf Club

Jul 11, 2023 | 5:24 AM

PARKSVILLE — Some of the best golfers in the province and abroad are in Parksville for the 121st B.C. Amateur Championship at Morningstar Golf Club.

Qualifying to solidify the final 15 spots wrapped up on Sunday, giving way to practice rounds on Monday and the event officially starting on Tuesday, July 11 at 7:30 a.m.

Morningstar Golf Club general manager Barrie McWha told NanaimoNewsNOW the highly anticipated tournament with 156 golfers in the field is the highest calibre event showcased by British Columbia Golf.

“It’s a very big deal, it’s the premier event of excellence in B.C. Literally, the best players in this part of the world are going to be playing this week.”

About 12 to 15 players are from the Central Vancouver Island area, along with several hometown golfers hailing from the Parksville-Qualicum Beach area.

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McWha said the tournament’s field comprises a wide age range, which leans younger with a large collection of collegiate athletes, while he notes there are competitors in their 30’s and 40’s.

Winning a tournament of this stature goes a long way toward increasing a golfer’s stock, he noted.

McWha said the lowest-scoring four B.C.-based golfers qualify for the provincial team at next month’s Canadian Men’s Amateur Golf Championship in Ontario.

Aside from springboarding aspiring professional golf careers, hosting the provincial amateur championship holds extra meaning to those tied to Morningstar Golf Club.

The 18-hole, seven-thousand-yard championship golf course was revived under new ownership after falling into receivership in 2018.

“It’s significant for Morningstar because it signifies that it’s back on healthy financial footing. It’s a great golf course for championships,” McWha said.

Morningstar Golf Club hosted the 2021 B.C. Golf Junior Championship and is again slated to host the B.C. Amateur Championship in 2030.

McWha is also proud of the significant economic effect the tournament is having, with many family and friends of participants in town staying at hotels and eating at restaurants.

People interested in watching the tournament live are welcome to do so.

McWha said there are lots of great vantage points at Morningstar Golf Club with elevations providing great sight lines.

“You can follow players, or you can pick a spot and get comfortable and watch the players come through. Players get excited when there’s crowds. I would urge anybody that wants to see really high-quality golf to feel free to come out, there’s no cost.”

More than 80 volunteers are helping to stage this week’s event.

Morningstar Golf Club is located at 525 Lowry’s Rd. in Parksville.

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes